Seal for separation device

Abstract

Described are apparatuses, devices, and systems implementing seals for separation devices. An apparatus for a separation device may include an end nut shaped to be positioned on one of an inlet side and an outlet side of the separation device. The end nut may be further shaped to mate with a connecting fitting. The apparatus may further include a face seal having a device side and a fitting side. The face seal may be positioned, at least in part, in the end nut on the device side of the face seal. The face seal may be positioned to interface with the connecting fitting on the fitting side of the face seal upon the end nut being mated with the connecting fitting. The apparatus may also include a face seal bore of the face seal being axially alignable with at least one of an inlet and an outlet of the separation device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for a separation device, the apparatus comprising:
 an end nut shaped to be positioned on one of an inlet side of the separation device and an outlet side of the separation device, the end nut further shaped to mate with a connecting fitting; 
 a cap seal having a device side, a fitting side and a lip having a gap therein, the cap seal positioned, at least in part, in the end nut on the device side of the cap seal, and the cap seal positioned to interface with the connecting fitting on the fitting side of the cap seal upon the end nut being mated with the connecting fitting; and 
 a face seal bore of the cap seal being axially alignable with at least one of an inlet of the separation device on the inlet side of the separation device, and an outlet of the separation device on the outlet side of the separation device. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the end nut is threaded on an inner portion of the end nut and the end nut is shaped to receive the connecting fitting. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap seal is loadable against a surface of the end nut. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap seal is removeable from the end nut. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap seal is made, at least in part, from a material selected from the group consisting of: a polymeric material; a polyimide; polyether ether ketone; an alloy; and stainless steel. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the end nut is shaped at least one of: cylindrically; and hexagonally. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for a separation device, the apparatus comprising:
 an end nut shaped to be positioned on one of an inlet side of the separation device and an outlet side of the separation device, the end nut further shaped to mate with a connecting fitting and having an end nut lip; 
 a cap seal having a device side, a fitting side and a lip, the cap seal positioned, at least in part, in the end nut on the device side of the cap seal and positioned to interface with the connecting fitting on the fitting side of the cap seal upon the end nut being mated with the connecting fitting, wherein the lip of the cap seal is configured to engage the end nut lip to retain the cap seal in the end nut; and 
 a face seal bore of the cap seal being axially alignable with at least one of an inlet of the separation device on the inlet side of the separation device, and an outlet of the separation device on the outlet side of the separation device. 
 
     
     
       8. The separation device of  claim 7 , wherein the connecting fitting comprises a protrusion loadable against the fitting side of the cap seal to create a fluidic seal. 
     
     
       9. The separation device of  claim 7 , wherein the end nut is an inlet end nut positioned on the inlet side of the separation device and the separation device further comprises an outlet end nut positioned on the outlet side of the separation device, wherein the inlet end nut and the outlet end nut are different in at least one of shape and size. 
     
     
       10. The separation device of  claim 7 , wherein the separation device is one of a chromatography column and a chromatography trap. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the end nut is threaded on an inner portion of the end nut and the end nut is shaped to receive the connecting fitting. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the cap seal is loadable against a surface of the end nut. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the cap seal is made, at least in part, from a material selected from the group consisting of: a polymeric material; a polyimide; polyether ether ketone; an alloy; and stainless steel. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the end nut is shaped at least one of: cylindrically; and hexagonally. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising the connecting fitting and wherein the connecting fitting comprises a protrusion loadable against the fitting side of the cap seal to create a fluidic seal. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the end nut is an inlet end nut, the apparatus further comprising a separation device and an outlet end nut, wherein the inlet end nut is positioned on the inlet side of the separation device and the outlet end nut is positioned on the outlet side of the separation device. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the separation device is one of a chromatography column and a chromatography trap.